The Goring: Best place for afternoon tea in London says The Tea Guild
The hotel in Belgravia, which serves a £37.50 afternoon tea in its Lounge, on the Terrace or outside between 3 and 4.30pm every day, was praised for its 'excellent selection' of teas which accompany finger sandwiches, scones and hand-crafted patisseries.
“Afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel is a truly special experience. The elegant surroundings and faultless presentation make it a memorable occasion aided by friendly, efficient and knowledgeable staff. It is easy to understand why this leading establishment attracts so many, of all ages, to take afternoon tea," said Irene Gorman, head of the Tea Guild.
Stuart Geddes, The Goring's food and beverage manager said he and staff were 'delighted and honoured' to receive the award.
"All of the staff at The Goring Hotel are passionate about creating a memorable guest experience and when it comes to serving the perfect afternoon tea, we strive to get every detail just right,” he said.
The Goring topped the Tea Guild's 28th list of accredited venues which are marked on a range of areas, including their décor, the appropriateness of the crockery, staff attitude and tea knowledge, efficiency of service and overall ambiance.
The Tea Guild gave Awards of Excellence to the following 22 venues in recognition of their outstanding quality and consistency:
- Brown’s Hotel
- Claridge’s
- Corinthia Hotel London
- Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane
- Fortnum & Mason
- Grosvenor House
- Sofitel London St James
- The Athenaeum
- The Capital Hotel
- The Chesterfield
- The Connaught
- The Dorchester
- The InterContinental London Park Lane
- The Lanesborough
- The Langham
- The Park Lane Hotel
- The Montague on The Gardens
- The Royal Garden Hotel
- The Royal Horseguards Hotel
- The Savoy
- The Ritz
- The Wolseley
Winnie Myers Traditional Afternoon Tea challenge
Pastry chefs and waiters under 25 are being encouraged to enter the Craft Guild of Chefs' Winnie Myers Traditional Afternoon Tea challenge.
The Guild's London Division is calling for student and working chefs and waiters who will be under 25 on August 1 to enter their best teatime spread comprising four traditional finger sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, egg and cress, plus one of their own choice); a sweet or savoury pastry; a sweet or savoury choux pastry, a sweet scone and two cakes of their own choice.
The competition, named after the late Craft Guild member and former head chef at the House of Lords, is split into two categories; student chef and student waiter and industry chef and industry waiter. It will take place at Westminster Kingsway College in October where chefs will have two hours to prepare three covers of afternoon tea and waiters will have one hour to set out the spread.
To enter, email pensgthvyqbspursfybaqba@tznvy.pbz or visit www.craftguildofchefs.org.
